Support



Nw.19,'194o.` G. R. RICH I 2,222,488

SUPPORT Filed Dec. 9, v1939 Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNlTED STATES 22ans rarest orties SUPPORT Application December- 9, 1939, Serial No. 308,339

2 Claims.

This invention relates to supports of that type which are used upon the human body to protect aiilicted parts thereof. It may be used as a post-operative support, as an abdominal support, and as a support in many cases of hernia, sacor-iliac aflictions and various other cases where a support is necessary.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a thin, very flexible, concavo-convex metal m plate of desirable shape to which is removably secured a pad composed of pliable textile fabric, such as Canton flannel, which pad has a main body portion that is stretched across the concave side of the plate from edge to edge thereof, and

1,-, has a marginal portion extending beyond the edges of the plate to provide an apron that serves to cushion the edges of the plate and prevent any discomfort from pressure of the edges of the plate on the body 20 Another object is to provide a pad as above described which may be readily removed, laundered and sterilized.

Another object is to provide a plate as above described that may be thoroughly sterilized.

25 Another object is to provide a plate as above described having one or more suitable openings through which drainage tubes may be passed when drainage is necessary.

With these and other'objects in View, this in- 30 vention consists of the several novel features hereinafter fully set forth and claimed.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the drawing accompanying this speciiication in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a support embody- 35 ing a simple form of the present invention and showing a certain band broken out to show the edge portion of the plate.

Fig. 2 is a detail horizontal section of the plate and pad taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

40 Fig. 3 is a detail vertical cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail edge view of the plate looking in the direction of the arrow 4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail edge View of the plate look- 45 ing in the direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail horizontal fragmental cross section of the plate and pad.

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the pad partly broken away.

50 Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the plate, and

Fig. 9 is a fragmental front elevation of the belt on a reduced scale.

Referring to said drawing, the reference character lil designates a thin, very flexible concavo- 55 convex metal plate, preferably oi the configura- (Cl. 12S- 96) tion illustrated, in Fig.y 8, although its exact shape is not material to the invention, broadly considered. As shown in Fig. 8 the plate has straight top and bottom edges and curved end edges. Desirably the plate is composed of alloyed 5 steel containing suitable proportions of chromium and nickel in its composition. Although the plate is given a concavo-convex form, the plate is very flexible and can be easily bent in all directions, and when the strain is relieved, it 10 resumes its normal concavo-convex shape. As a preference the plate is provided with a multiplicity of apertures, Il, to permit of the escape of perspiration and itis also formed with large openings, l2, through which a drain tube may be 15 passed in case drainage is necessary.

The pad is illustrated at i3 and is composed of pliable textile fabric such as'Canton flannel, with the nappy side ofthe flannel placed on the outer sides of the pad. The main body portion it of the pad desirably has the outline shown in Fig. '7, and said main portion of the pad is stretched across the concave side of the plate from edge to edge, with its marginal edge portion extending beyond the edges of the plate to provide an apron. Stitched to the marginal edge of the main portion Ill of the pad is a narrow endless facing l5, and an endless band I6 is provided for detachably securing the pad on the plate. One edge portion Nia, of said band is stitched to the inner edge portion I5a of the facing and to the main portion of the pad as at il. To the free edge portion of the pad is stitched a strip of elastic4 material i3 which contracts the free edge of the band to form a perimeter of less extent than that of the plate lll. The pad is secured upon the plate by inserting one end of the plate through the opening in the band and lapping the free edge of the band over the edge portions of the plate. When the pad has been attached to the plate, the band is stretched out along a line approximately midway between its stitched and free edges by the edges of the plate, thus forming an endless pocket i9 (see Fig. 6) which receives the edge 45 portions of the plate. The elastic edge of the band overlies the convex side of the plate and serves to effectively hold the pad in position a thereon. When the plate is seated in the pocket, it stretches the main body portion of the pad across the concave side of the plate.

A Wide elastic belt Ztl is provided, which has straps El connected to its ends by buckles 22, and on the free ends of said straps are secured metal eye members 23 which are adapted to engage 55 with buttons 24, secured to the plate on its con- Vex face near its end edges.

If desired thin rubber pieces 25 (see Fig. 9) may be secured to the inner side of the belt adjacent its ends, and serve to prevent slipping of the belt on the patient.

The main part of the pad serves as a cushion between the plate and patient and the apron cushions `the edges of the plate thereby minimizing any discomfort. The belt places tension on the plate, thereby firmly holding it in place( against the body.

The various parts may be made in several sizes,Y

and the straps may be adjusted so as to fasten the support in proper place upon the'body of the patient. The pad may be readily removed from the plate, laundered and sterilized. The plate also may be kept perfectly clean and may be sterilized when occasion requires it. When used as a protectionas Aa post-operative support, thev usual vsurgical dressings are placed upon the incised, part, after which the sterilized plate and pad are placed over the dressings and the belt fastened'to the plate by the buttons and eye members. By reason of the simpleconnections` between the plate and belt, the belt may be readily disconnected from the plate with its pad and removed from the patient for the purpose of changing surgical dressings or for other reasons, and it may be readily replaced.

It is to be understood that the use of the invention is not limited as a post-operative support, but may be used as a protection for many other aftlictions.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A support comprising in combination, a thin, exible, concavo-convex metal plate and a pad composed of pliable textile fabric, and comprising a main body portion stretched across the concave side of the plate and having a marginal portionV projecting beyond all of the edges of the Y plate to provide an apron, an endless band secured at one of its marginal edges to the said main portion of the pad along a line inward of and substantially paralleling the edges of the plate, and having an elastic free edge adapted to overlie the edge portion of the plate whereby to removably secure the pad on the plate.

2. In a support, a pad composed of pliable textile fabric and comprising a main body portion adapted to4 be stretched across the concave side of a concavo-convex metal plate, a narrow facing secured to the main portion at its marginall edge, and an endless band having one edge stitched to the inner margin of said facing, and to the rmain body portion of the pad along a line disposed inwardly of the edges of the plate, said facing havn ing an elastic edge, adapted to overlie the edge portion of the plate.

GEORGE R. RICH. 

